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Chapter 7

They left her alone for three days.

She stayed in her cabin, refusing contact with everyone but the elven boy that brought her food. Josephine tried many times to talk to her, but was met with silence.

Mia wanted nothing more than to go home.

The Commander had posted Harrison outside her door. He probably thought she was going to go into a blood crazed frenzy. She hadn't seen Harrison since he had left the chantry, but she could sense him. He was taking lyrium every couple hours.

Nothing was going according to plan. Her first step had been to find the divine, and warn her of the Elder One's attack. Then she would convince the Divine to gather her army to march against him once Mia had located him. They would cut off his resources, and then Mia would kill him. Once that was done, Mia figured she would fade back to her own time.

To a much better time.

Now, the Divine was dead. The Chantry was divided, and the people massing an army to strike back at the unknown enemy didn't trust her. She could feel Templars all around her. There were what felt like a million of them here in Haven. It took every ounce of control she had not to put up a shield around the whole cabin. She really didn't want these people to know how much powerful she was compared to mages of this time.

Mia knew she would have to venture out of the cabin soon. Moping in here was not going to defeat the Elder One.

She decided she would go find Solas. There was something about the Elf that bothered her. His eyes held such knowledge in them. He knew more than he was saying.

She opened the door, practically bumping into a startled Harrison. He said, "I'll inform the Commander you wish to see them."

She growled, "You will tell your Commander nothing. I have no wish to see them, especially him." She had the pleasure of seeing him blanch at her tone, and then felt bad for that pleasure a few seconds later. Obviously, blood mages had done a number on him. She tried again. "Look, I'm not ready to talk to them. I just can't stay in this room anymore. I'm going crazy."

Harrison nodded, "Alright, I can see that. I won't say anything." He walked off, and she had a feeling he was going to tell somebody. Templars; if there was anything redeeming about them, it was their loyalty to the ones in charge. It was just too bad they happened to always be on the wrong side.

She heard the heavy footsteps, and a disgusted noise that told her Cassandra was making her way towards her. She was not ready to deal with the intimidating woman. Mia breathed deeply once, gathered the fade around her, and fade stepped. She ended up close to Varric, who was just as startled to see her pop up in front of him.

He swore, "Maker's balls, how did you do that?"

Mia frowned, "It's called Fade Step. Haven't you ever seen it before?"

Varric shook his head, "Kid, no one's ever just popped up in front of me. How does it work?"

She tilted her head, "I just pulled the fade around me, and walked. The magic made it faster for a couple seconds, is all." She smiled, "I can teach it to you if you'd like."

He gave her a weird look, "Sure, when Dwarves can start using magic, I'll take you up on that offer. You sure make it sound easy."

Her smile turned into a frown again. It had actually taken a bit more effort to pull the fade to her. She'd never recalled having to use more than a tiny bit of energy to use a simple spell like that. Maybe Solas would have an answer for that too. Then the rest of his words caught up with her; Dwarves couldn't use magic?

She gave him a disbelieving look, "Dwarves really can't use magic?"

Mia could tell he didn't know whether or not she was having him on. He said, "I don't know how it is wherever you come from, but Dwarves have a resistance to Lyrium. We don't connect to the Fade. That means no magic for us."

To not be able to use magic? It sounded a lot like being Tranquil. She said, "I apologize. There was no mention of Dwarves not being able to use magic." The only mention of Dwarves had been their dedication to keeping darkspawn in the Deep Roads, and producing stone giants.

Varric gave her another weird look, but instead of commenting he asked, "What brought you here to see me?"

She was reminded of Cassandra, and tried to get a glance of her through her peripherals. Cassandra was a few feet away, having no intention of hiding the fact that she was listening in on their conversation. She shot a look at Varric who caught on immediately. He smiled, "I have a question. What's up with the hair?"

Mia was confused, "What's wrong with my hair?"

He gestured to long strands, "It's long, and not up in some bun. I've never seen anyone with hair down to the middle of their back without it being tied up in some up do."

Mia frowned. Her red hair was longer than anyone she had seen here so far. It was pulled back at the top and secured with pins to create the illusion of a half ponytail, but the rest was down. Her bangs were swept to the side of her face in different layers. At the bottom of her head, she had braided a small section of her hair, so that a braid was left behind her ear partially covered by the rest of her hair. It made sure she wasn't constantly tucking her hair behind her ear.

It wasn't weird in her time, but here… "Do you think I should put it up?" She asked.

Varric shook his head, "Don't, it makes you unique. Women would look friendlier if they did what you did. Now, the armor. That is no typical set of Mage robes."

They weren't mage robes at all. Mage robes hampered the strenuous physical activity that surrounded their missions. She wore all black. Her body suit covered everything, stopping at her neck. It was made of a cloth that was surrounded in hidden ruins, giving her defenses as a normal piece of armor would. At the base of her neck where it met her shoulders lay another piece of cloth that could be pulled up to cover her neck, mouth and nose when she encountered red lyrium. It made it easier to combat the fatigue that seemed to overtake mages when dealing with the stuff.

Her boots were good strong leather, the same type of leather that her shoulder and upper leg armor was made out of. Her cloak would flap in the wind as she walked; creating a natural barrier against spells. The bandages going up her clothed forearms could be used in severe situations, having been spelled by spirit healing magic. Ropes of dark red encompassed her suit that helped in hand to hand combat against Red Templars. It also tended to glow when Samson was near, that bastard had learned how to move with the shadows over the years.

She couldn't very well tell Varric this, so she smiled instead. "It's kept me alive more times than I can count."

At that point, Cassandra just looked to the heavens and stomped off. Mia knew that Cassandra had been hoping she would warm up to Varric, and let something of her origins slip. Mia wasn't that stupid.

Varric said, "So, now that Cassandra's out of ear shot, are you holding up all right? I mean, you go from being the most wanted criminal in Thedas to joining the armies of the faithful. Most people would have spread that out over more than one day."

She shook her head, "Too many people died up there. I'm just glad to be alive."

Varric chuckled, "I still can't believe you survived Cassandra. You're lucky you were out cold for most of her frothing rage. For days now, we've been staring at the Breach, watching demons and maker-knows-what fall out of it. 'Bad for Moral' would be an understatement. I still can't believe anyone was in there, and lived."

She couldn't quite believe it herself. "Why did you stay? Cassandra said you were free to go."

Varric sighed, "I like to think I'm as selfish and irresponsible as the next guy, but… Thousands of people died on that mountain. I was almost one of them. Now there's a hole in the sky. Even I can't walk away, and just leave that to sort itself out."

Now she sighed, "We do need to close the Breach, soon."

Varric turned his back on her, poking a stick into the fire that glowed in between two tents. They stood in silence for a minute, watching the flames as they fought to rise up, only to be beaten back by the constant wind. Finally, he said, "If this is all just the maker winding us up, I hope there's a damn good punch line coming. You might want to consider running at the first opportunity. I've written enough tragedies to recognize where this is going. Heroes are everywhere. I've seen that. But that hole in the sky? That's beyond heroes. We're going to need a miracle."

She didn't know how to respond to that, so she decided to move on. She didn't actually know where Solas was, so she opened herself up to the Fade. A very strong magical energy was coming from some of the cabins on the other side of Haven. She was surprised at the power he held inside him, for it could only be Solas. She wondered if Cassandra and Cullen knew how powerful he really was.

She made her way to the cabins, able to see the bald elf from here. Solas turned her way as she walked up the stone steps. He said, "The Chosen of Andraste, a blessed hero sent to save us all."

She knew sarcasm when she heard it. She responded in kind. "Am I riding in on a shining steed?"

He smirked, "I would have suggested a Griffon, but sadly, they're extinct. Joke as you will, posturing is necessary."

She pondered that as he walked a little away from her. Griffons were extinct? How could that be when they were very much alive in her time? It was a shame, because she had planned on locating them.

Solas said, "I've journeyed deep into the Fade in ancient ruins, and battlefields to see the dreams of lost civilizations. I've watched as hosts of spirits clash to reenact the bloody past in ancient wars both famous, and forgotten. Every great war has its heroes. I'm curious what kind you'll be."

A quick one if she had anything to say about it. "You study ancient ruins?"

His tone turned a little excited. "Any building strong enough to withstand the rigors of time has a history. Every battlefield is steeped in death. Both attract spirits. They press against the veil, weakening the barrier between our worlds. When I dream in such places, I go deep into the Fade. I can find memories no other living being has ever seen."

She understood what he meant. Even as the veil between their worlds was broken, it took concentration to be able to get glimpses of the past. It took up a lot of power, but maybe it was different here. The veil may be torn, but it was not completely lost. The Fade was still a separate place. It would be easier finding something when there was no need to separate the two worlds in the first place. "Is it dangerous to sleep there?"

He gave a quick nod of his head. "I do set wards, and if you leave food out for the giant spiders, they are usually content to live and let live."

Giant Spiders. Her comfort zone was not capable of handling giant spiders. "I've never heard of anyone going so far into the fade, its extraordinary."

He seemed pleased. "Thank you. It's not a common field of study, for obvious reasons. It's not as flashy as throwing fire or lightning. The thrill of finding remnants of a thousand-year-old dream? I would not trade it for anything. I will stay then, at least until the Breach has been closed."

She titled her head to the side. "Was that in doubt?"

He said, "I am an apostate surrounded by Chantry forces in the middle of a mage rebellion. Cassandra has been accommodating, but you understand my caution."

She waved the worry away. He was more powerful than the Chantry forces. "Cassandra will protect you."

Solas gave her a small smile. "Thank you. I appreciate the thought. For now, let us hope either the Mages or the Templars have the power to seal the Breach."

She narrowed her eyes. "We both know you have the power to close this Breach."

His expression stayed neutral. "If that were the case, you would not have had to come here to fix things."

She left him, knowing the conversation was over. He knew where she had come from. How? Why had he not said anything? She wondered if he had been in her dreams. She had not sensed anyone, but she had been too busy trying to make contact with her mother that she hasn't really been paying attention. She doubted she would have sensed him unless he had wanted her to anyhow. He was too powerful.

She made her way to the Chantry. Avoiding the people in charge was not going to get things done. She just had to find a way to make them understand that it didn't matter where she came from. She also had to set her prejudice against Templars aside if she was going to work with them.

Well, she had to try.

They were waiting for her in the war room. It grated that people were reporting on her, but she decided to let it go. She met their eyes, stopping on Cullen. He didn't glare at her, but his expression was carefully blank. She couldn't tell what he was thinking.

Finally, he said, "I would like to apologize for my part in making you uncomfortable. It was an uncalled for test."

She couldn't tell if he was sincere or not. She shrugged, "We'll let bygones be bygones. Next time, just ask. If I can answer, I will."

Liliana nodded, "Yes, we have come to the decision to let you tell us who you are in time. That does not mean I will stop looking."

They couldn't find anything on someone who didn't exist. She didn't say anything. Cassandra said, "Now that the apologies are over. I mentioned that your mark needs more power to close the Breach for good."

"Which means we must approach the rebel mages for help," Leliana said.

Cullen obviously didn't like the idea. "I still disagree. The Templars could serve just as well."

Cassandra made a noise. "We need power, Commander. Enough magic poured into the mark—

"Might destroy us all." Cullen interrupted, "Templars could suppress the Breach, weaken it so—

"Pure speculation," Leliana said.

Cullen sighed, "I was a Templar. I know what they're capable of."

It was her turn to speak. "No necessarily." Cullen glared at her. "I am not saying that you don't know Templars, Commander. What I mean is that magic might be the answer. The Breach is a tear in the veil, and the veil is magic itself. It could be that magic is what's needed to fix this. Suppressing that magic will probably destroy us, not overloading it with magic."

Cullen shook his head, "Now, that is pure speculation."

Josephine said, "Unfortunately, neither group will even speak to us yet. The Chantry has denounced the Inquisition, and you, specifically."

She rolled her eyes, "Does that even matter? We can talk to these groups without their approval."

Leliana blew out a breath. "If only that were possible."

Josephine said, "Some are calling you, a mage, the 'Herald of Andraste'. That frightens the Chantry. The remaining clerics have declared it blasphemy, and we heretics for harboring you."

Cassandra snorted, "Chancellor Roderick's doing, no doubt."

Josephine nodded, "It limits our options. Approaching the Mages or Templars for help is currently out of the question."

Mia was still stuck on Herald. "The Herald of Andraste? Just how am I the Herald of Andraste?"

Cassandra said, "People saw what you did at the temple, how you stopped the Breach from growing. They have also heard about the woman seen in the rift when we first found you. They believe that was Andraste."

Leliana spread her hands. "Even if we tried to stop that view from spreading—

"Which we have not," Cassandra interrupted.

Leliana continued, "The point is, everyone is talking about you."

Cullen smirked at her. "It's quite the title, isn't it? How do you feel about that?"

Mia took the smirk right off his face. "It's unnerving, they're wrong. The Maker lost my loyalty a long time ago. His bride did not help me."

Leliana spoke before Cassandra or Cullen could chastise her. "People are desperate for a sign of hope. For some, you're that sign."

"And for others, of everything gone wrong," Josephine said.

The Breach didn't worry them? How did she ever think the Chantry would be able to help her in the fight against the Elder One. Idiots. "Could we be attacked?"

Cullen scoffed, "With what? They have only words at their disposal."

Josephine disagreed. "And yet, they may bury us with them. Armies may drive the point home, but words are what get things started."

Leliana said, "There is something you can do. A Chantry Cleric by the name of Mother Giselle has asked to speak to you. She is not far, and knows those involved better than I. Her assistance could be invaluable."

Now why would a Chantry Cleric help them? "I'll talk to her."

Leliana nodded, pleased. "You will find Mother Giselle tending to the wounded in the Hinterlands near Redcliffe."

The Hinterlands? There was a welcome part of her homeland. Cullen said, "Look for other opportunities to expand the Inquisition's influence while you are out there."

She couldn't help it… "What you're really saying is; don't start summoning demons, you evil blood mage. Don't worry, Commander. I'll refrain from controlling people by using their blood, just for you."

Cullen face grew very red, and it wasn't a good type of red. Upon seeing this, Josephine decided to intervene. "We need agents to extend our reach beyond this valley, and you're better suited than anyone to recruit them."

Cullen had composed himself. "In the meantime, let's thing of other options. I won't leave this all to the Herald."

She nodded, and made her way to the door. As she opened it, Cullen's voice interrupted her. "Herald?"

She already despised the title. "Yes?"

Cullen's smile was evil. "Don't forget Harrison."

AN: Just a little over 3,000 words, I hope you guys enjoy!

I tried explaining Mia's hair and armor as best I could, but come to me with any questions you have. I tried to put links up on the on my profile, but it didn't work. I'll figure it out hopefully before next chapter.

I'm going to come up with a better summary for this story. If anyone would like to help me in this, PM me!

Tell me what you think!